Hydrogen-based technology to support North American Port of Long Beach

Home Hydrogen Hydrogen-based technology to support North American Port of Long Beach

May 3, 2024,
by

Aida Čučuk

In the presence of State, City and Port of Long Beach officials, Toyota Motor North America and FuelCell Energy have opened the “first-of-its-kind” Tri-gen system to generate renewable hydrogen, electricity and water to support operations at Toyota’s largest port facility in North America.

Courtesy of Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach said that the Tri-gen system uses biogas to produce renewable hydrogen, renewable electricity and usable water, and was built to support the vehicle processing and distribution center for Toyota Logistics Services at Long Beach.

The port also pointed out that the system is capable of generating up to 1,200 kg/day of hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles imported to the terminal, and to supply an adjacent hydrogen refuelling station to support Toyota Logistics Services and heavy-duty drayage trucks operating in the port complex.

Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach CEO, stated: “The dawn of the renewable hydrogen era is upon us, thanks to our collaboration with Toyota, FuelCell Energy and their innovative Tri-gen system. The green power generated by the Tri-gen system, and similar projects, is part of our multilayered strategy to fuel our goal to become the world’s first zero-emissions Port.”

Tom Stricker, Group Vice President of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Toyota, commented: “The goal of our collaboration with FuelCell Energy was to find sustainable solutions for the TLS vehicle processing facility here at the Port of Long Beach as part of our goal to remove carbon dioxide emissions from our operations. This groundbreaking facility shows that there are ways to reduce our emissions and burden on natural resources with scalable technology based on hydrogen.”

Jason Few, FuelCell Energy CEO and President, remarked: “Tri-gen demonstrates that hydrogen-based energy benefits businesses, delivers zero-emission transportation for light- and heavy-duty transportation, supports improved air quality in local communities, reduces water usage, and delivers immediate and long-term benefits to the environment. As a company, we are living our purpose when we enable visionary customers like Toyota to decarbonize their operations and harness the energy solutions offered by hydrogen — all while leaving communities with cleaner air and easing the strain on power grids and water supplies.”

To note, FuellCell Energy’s Tri-gen system opened in the fall of 2023, producing green hydrogen, renewable electricity and usable water converted from biogas at California landfills.

Click here to read more about hydrogen in the U.S.